Process to Aid in Motivation of Personal Fitness, Health Monitoring and Validation of User

ABSTRACT

A method for monitoring an exerciser comprising including the steps of associating a motion tracking device with the exerciser; detecting movement of the exerciser with the motion tracking device during an exercise session; periodically prompting the exerciser during the exercise session to provide a biometric data feature to an identity verification module associated with the tracking device, the biometric data feature being selected from at least one of an image, a sound cue, a motion cue, a barcode, a body scan and a DNA specimen; processing the biometric data feature with the identity verification module by comparing the biometric data feature to a stored biometric profile of the exerciser; and collecting exercise data from the exerciser if the biometric data feature matches the biometric profile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/810,949, filed Nov. 13, 2017, which is in turn a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/728,077, filed Oct.9, 2017, which is in turn a continuation-in-part (CIP) application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/489,349, filed Sep. 17, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,785,827, issued on Oct. 10, 2017, and which is in turn acontinuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/764,440, filed on Feb. 11, 2013, now abandoned, and which in turnfurther claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/597,702, filed on Feb. 10, 2012, now expired. The contents of all ofthe aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device process for motivating an individualand/or validating the identity of the individual.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Obesity is growing faster than any other public health issue in America.If current trends continue, 103 million American adults will beconsidered obese by 2018. The U.S. is expected to spend $344 billion onhealth care costs attributable to obesity in 2018. Obesity-relateddirect expenditures are expected to account for more than 21 percent ofthe nation's direct health care spending in 2018. Obesity has become anepidemic with no signs of slowing down. Solving this problem starts withmotivation and our current methods of motivating people to exercise areobviously not working, particularly as obesity numbers are gettingworse.

The problem of lack of motivation to exercise has been partially solvedby the implementation of video gaming while exercising. Inventionsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,119 to Pryor on Feb. 5, 2008; U.S. Pat.No. 7,693,584 to Pryor on Apr. 6, 2010; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,306,635 toPryor on Nov. 6, 2012 all address exercise motivation through the use ofvideo gaming, and Pryor compares his invention to an improvement ofNintendo games. A problem with the use of gaming for exercise motivationis that it appeals to a much smaller and younger population, and not tothe target age group that most needs to lose weight and that is costingour healthcare industry an exorbitant amount of money.

The target age range that needs to be combated as part of the obesityepidemic is between the ages of 25 to 60. This is the age populationthat is most overweight or obese. Although using gaming as a means toencourage children and teenagers to exercise may in fact prove to besuccessful, it fails to solve the problems of low self-esteem and lackof motivation. The present invention is intended to address theseproblems by not only creating positive emotions in the user, but by alsoincreasing the user's internal dialog and by awakening the user's desirefor autonomy and self-determination. University studies show thataffecting someone's intrinsic motivation and improving upon theirself-efficacy has proven to drastically motivate people to exercise longterm, as well as positively affects their diet choices. In addition, thepresent inventors have found that when a person sees a thinner, moreappealing image of himself while exercising, that image remains in hismind long after the completion of his workout, as well as may positivelyinfluence post workout food selections while shopping and dining atrestaurants. It is believed that a person's food choices will not beimproved by gaming alone, nor will the gaming experience enhance theuser emotionally or intrinsically. In fact, university studies havesuggested that the psychological effect of a positive self-imagery willhave a profound effect on a person's motivation to exercise and makebetter diet choices.

Pryor's inventions claim that the user can see a projected image ofhimself in the future as a result of his inputted exercise routine anddiet plan, for example 30 minutes for 3 times a week and a selected dietplan. However, such inventions fail to motivate the user because they donot provide a real-time image of the user getting thinner and/or moreattractive, for example, as the user walks or runs harder and faster ona treadmill. One important factor that the present invention emphasizesis the direct connection between the level of exertion the user exhibitswhile exercising and the thinner the portrayed self-image the user viewsin real time during the exercise. Unlike the present invention, Pryor'sprocess does not affect or engage the user in this way while they areexercising. More particularly, Pryor's invention does not include animage of the user improving in relation to the intensity of the exercisethen being performed, which, if included, would encourage the user towork harder. Some people simply cannot imagine what a thinner them wouldlook like. By showing them their payoff in advance by displaying athinner image in real-time while exercising, they are more motivated toexercise much harder and longer than they would otherwise.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,892,219 to Pryor attempts to further address usermotivation and rehabilitation regimens through a remote instructionprocess. However, while the use of instructional exercise programs maybe useful in the short term, they fail to solve the problem ofself-determination and autonomy within the user, and as a result, theyfail to create a positive and long-term diet and/or exercise routinethat will benefit the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,368 to Craig et al. teaches a slimming effect methodfor digital photographs. Such a system makes no mention of use withreal-time video alteration of a scene captured by a camera. Further,such a method makes no mention of modifying certain areas of an image(such as the thickness of a person's upper arms or size of their chin,for example). As such, use of such a system for displaying in real-timea motivational image of an exerciser who is exercising in front of acamera is not possible. Further, such a method does not predict afuture, thinner appearance for a person based on their currentappearance, a known previous appearance, and a particular combination ofdiet and exercise plans over a given time.

Pedometers such as FitBit (http://www.fitbit.com), Jawbone(http://jawbone.com), and Runkeeper (www.runkeeper.com) attempt to trackthe number of steps the user takes in a given period of time. They areintended to assist the user in being aware of the amount of exercise heis getting and by keeping a journal of diet and exercise. However, suchdevices do not motivate the user to exercise.

While employee wellness programs have proven to help in the battleagainst weight control and poor health, they still fail to create asynergy between the employee, the employer and the healthcare provider,and as a result, they do nothing to exponentially increase employeeparticipation. The present invention, on the other hand, has significantadvantages for personal health care and telemedicine that saves moneyfor the employee, the employer and the healthcare company. Motivation toexercise, validation of the user and biometric testing are now broughttogether into a single streamlined flow of information to the wellnessprogram manager, physician and personal trainer in a way that was notavailable previously, but that is greatly needed.

Current wellness programs rely upon swipe cards that the employee useswhen entering the gym and/or a pedometer, such as Fitbit or Jawbone,that tracks everyday activity like the number of steps walked, theamount of distance traveled, the number of stairs climbed and the amountof time a person is active. They also track the user's diet, weight andsleep. Another pedometer device, Runkeeper, tracks a user's pace,measures the user's workout distance, charts the user's weight loss andincludes a GPS system all within an application running on an iPhone,for example. However, these devices do not provide a solution to thenumber one cause of obesity, which is lack of motivation to exercise andeat properly.

These prior art devices also can fail to accurately validate theidentity of the user. In fact, swipe cards and pedometer devices can beeasily manipulated by wellness program participants. For example, awellness program participant can give his swipe card to a friend whogoes to the same fitness center to exercise, thus enabling the inactivewellness program participant to obtain false wellness program credit forexercise performed by another. In a similar fashion, an inactivewellness program participant can easily obtain false exercise creditwith pedometer devices by lending them to an active friend who registersa high volume of wellness program credit as compared to the inactiveparticipant. Indeed, many pedometer devices can be shaken by an inactivewellness program participant (or her friend) while sitting on the couchwatching television, the end result being additional false programcredit for the dishonest participant.

There is undoubtedly a need for a device that unmistakably validates thetrue identity of the user. With the information disclosed herein, thewellness program participant is able to exercise at a convenient andsecure place, such as at home or in a hotel, and at a preferred timewhile registering true wellness program credit. This would save time andmoney, especially for the working mother, while simultaneously reducingfuel consumption, traffic and pollution. Most wellness programs providefinancial incentives for completion of fitness goals and this validationfeature would ensure that the program participants that truly deservethis credit would receive it while the dishonest program participantswould not.

By using a portable computing device such as, but not necessarilylimited to, a computer tablet, a smartphone, a computer phone, acomputer watch, a television, computer and virtual reality glasses, arobot, a voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant services (e.g.,Amazon Echo), and the like, the employee can enjoy the convenience andsecurity of completing her exercise in hotel gym to receive her wellnessprogram credit and the benefits of more frequent exercise. All of thisinformation is easily transferred over the internet to a wellnessmanager or medical advisor as a live feed or stored on a computer orremote server such as a cloud-based server in order to obtain data atany time or location.

In a smart-phone application called Wahoo Fitness(http://www.wahoofitness.com), a body band is used around the chest togather basic information during exercise, such as tracking of the heartrate, calories burned, distance, and speed. Although this may beinformative to the user, it is missing the first step in the process,which is getting someone motivated to exercise. Further, it fails tomotivate and engage the user because it falls short in producing a realtime thinner and/or more muscular body enhancement image of the userduring her workout routine based on the data that is read from the bandor validating the user and providing biometric testing.

Facial recognition applications, such as that available athttp://www.fst21.com, are used for identifying a person from apreviously stored digital image or video frame of that person.Therefore, it is possible to compare the current facial image of a userto a stored facial of that individual to confirm the identity of theuser. FST Biometrics, a company that provides secure access systems tovarious types of buildings and schools, can integrate its applicationwith security and surveillance systems to validate a person's identitybefore permitting entry by that person. However, this applicationaddresses the security needs of facilities, while the inventiondescribed herein solves the critical needs of the healthcare, diet andfitness industries, which are motivation to exercise and validation ofthe wellness program participant.

The current options to address the need of biometric screening ofemployees involve either the employee travelling to a medical facilityor the use of mobile biometric screening facilities that travel to theworkplace. Such prior art solutions are discussed in more detail athttp://www.concentra.com/employers/workforce-health-and-well-being/ andhttp://www.wellnesscorporatesolutions.com. Although the latter methodprovides a level of convenience and efficiency to the employer andemployee, the use of computing devices coupled with various healthscreening peripherals by employees to perform their own biometricscreening at home provides the highest level of convenience, efficiency,privacy and participation in favor of both the employee and theemployer. Computing devices such as, but not necessarily limited to,laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, computer phones,computer watches, televisions, computer and virtual reality glasses, andthe like, are able to interface with biometric screening devices used inthe home to conduct tests to determine cholesterol levels, blood-glucoselevels, blood pressure and the like, and store and transmit thatinformation to physicians and other medical professionals. Indeed,certain test strips that are currently on the market will turn a certaincolor when a small drop of blood is placed on such a test strip. Byscanning this test strip with a cell phone, tablet or laptop camera, thecomputing device can read these slight color variations on the stripsand provide the user with a precise reading of his blood sugar andcholesterol levels. However, the use of such devices at home by thepatient, with the current prior art, there is no way to simultaneouslyconfirm the identity of the user as disclosed in the current invention.

Disadvantages that exist in the prior art include disconnection between,for example, the employee needing motivation, the employer needingemployee participation, and wellness programs needing to validate theuser's identification and biometric testing. Further, there is adisconnection between the medical community and patients with regard tovalidation of a patient's exercise performance. Poor self-worth and lackof self-esteem that exist with overweight people often fosters a lack ofmotivation to exercise, which compounds the problem and the exorbitanthealth care costs in the U.S. Further, diabetes and obesity rates are onthe rise, thereby burdening our healthcare system and the economy inU.S. Employers lose time at work from employees due to obesity-relatedillnesses, and employers' costs to have a wellness program in-house is afurther expense.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that can modify in substantiallyreal-time, an image of a user in order to present a motivating image ofthe user getting thinner, for example. Such a needed system would beable to interface with various exercising machines, and would include anadjustable mount for optimally positioning the electronic device.Further, such a needed device would provide calculations to the userconcerning diet and exercise plans needed to achieve a particularestimated appearance within a certain period of time. The presentinvention accomplishes these objectives.

In accordance with certain aspects herein, the present invention createsa real-time thinner image of the user by using robust image capturing,processing and analysis software in conjunction with a camera on acomputing device. The real-time thinner image is then displayed on ascreen that the user views while exercising. In accordance with thisaspect herein, any computing device can be used, such as, but notnecessarily limited to, laptops, desktop computers, tablets,smartphones, computer phones, computer watches, televisions, computerand virtual reality glasses, and the like. The image displayed to theuser can be a real-time image, similar to Skype or FaceTime, or it canbe shown as a still image instead. In accordance with the presentinvention, a new and unique outcome of the user's thinner and/ormuscular, healthier and more aesthetically pleasing image is achieved bythe exercise machine interfacing with the computer device, by body bandsinterfacing with the computer device, by manual inputs from the user orby the camera on the computer device detecting the user's movement. Anelectronic skin patch and wearable health monitors such as bracelet orearpiece may also interface with the computer device to create thethinner image. In accordance with still other aspects herein, a footband is used for extrapolating the current weight and is interfaced withthe computer device. According to this embodiment, the band can be usedin addition to or rather than the user inputting their weight into thecomputer device directly. The interface between devices can be achievedthrough wire or wireless Bluetooth, infrared technology or the like.

While several of the embodiments discussed herein focus primarily on theuse of the inventive concept in connection with a treadmill interfacingwith an exercise machine to create the thinner image, it should beunderstood and appreciated herein that the invention is capable ofinterfacing with any type of exercise machine. For instance, theinvention can interface with an exercise bike, an elliptical machine, astair stepper and the like. Accordingly, the present invention is notintended to be limited herein but is demonstrated in accordance withcertain illustrative examples to provide context from a simplisticstandpoint. It should also be understood and appreciated herein that theinvention can also be used without an exercise machine, such as, whilethe user is doing floor exercises in front of a computing or electronicdevice's camera. It can also be used simply to see what the user'sthinner and/or more muscular image would look like or for thepsychological study of self-imagery or the like. According to certainaspects herein, the user inputs personal data such as gender, age,height and weight and personal measurements. Thereafter, the user inputsa desired weight that they would prefer to reach and the modified realtime and enhanced self-image of the user would be displayed accordingly.In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the imageenhancement of the user is achieved by data manually entered by the userinto the computing or electronic device in order to see the modified,body enhanced image.

When using an exercise machine such as a treadmill, the action of theinterface between the treadmill and the computer causes the user's imageto become thinner, healthier and more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore,the faster and/or more intensely the user exercises, the thinner and/ormore muscular and more appealing the user's image becomes. In additionto seeing her image, she can also view on the display her exercise datasuch as heart rate, calories burned and distance advanced. The thinnerimage can then be transferred in real time while exercising via theinternet to someone such as a doctor, wellness manager or the like.Alternatively, a still image of the user's thinner image can betransferred as well. For convenience, at home or in a gym, it is alsopossible to operate the controls of the exercise machine through thecomputing device, such as a tablet, in order to move between variousexercise machines and have data from the user's exercise routineautomatically entered into the computer device such as heart rate,duration and calories burned.

The synergy of the computer/computing device interfacing with theexercise equipment allows the controls of the exercise machine to beaccessed directly from the computer device. This allows a convenientmethod of operating the exercise machines while moving from differentexercise machines in a gym or at home. The computer device is able torecord the details of the user's workout session. Simultaneously, usingthe validation and biometric features of the invention, furtherexplained below, allows a complete data report, including proof of theidentification of the user or patient, biometrics and exercise report,to be sent via the internet to a health professional or wellnessmanager. This can be sent via live feed or stored on a computer or cloudbased server to be viewed at any time.

Visually seeing the thinner and/or more muscular image can be achievedall in one computer housing or could also be achieved by using a cameraon a computing or electronic device to input a user's image and thinnerimage outputted from the same computer device. In accordance with thisillustrative aspect, the outputted image can be projected separately onanother area such as a large wall or remote display, thereby allowing alarge visual display to be viewed by the user.

It is well known that many overweight people have poor self-esteem andare disappointed with their appearance, which further compounds theindividual's lack of motivation to exercise and improve upon theiroverall health. The purpose of this invention is to improve the users'internal dialog and self-esteem by seeing themselves thinner and morefit in real-time while exercising. This will encourage them to improvetheir appearance, which in turn will improve upon their health, generatea positive self-image and motivate them to exercise more frequently andmore intensely than they otherwise would. For safety, a limit can be seton how thin the image can be displayed to prevent any problems withsomeone who may suffer from Anorexia or Bulimia.

A further benefit of the present invention is that the real-time thinnerand/or more muscular image of the user will remain in his mind, therebycausing him to draw upon his memory of his thinner image when shoppingfor food, when cooking and when selecting meals at a restaurant. Studiesfrom major universities have proven that improving someone's intrinsicmotivation, autonomy and internal dialog has a powerful effect on theirdiet and exercise habits for the long term.

A further goal of the invention is to provide validation of the user orpatient's identity while exercising to further engage and motivate theuser to exercise more frequently and for a longer period of time.Current wellness programs, medical treatment plans, exercise personaltraining schemes and the like, have a strong need for a device orprocess that will confirm the true identity of the user or patient.

Through a unique interface of the camera and other hardware on thecomputer device and exercise machine, the user's identification andmethod of exercise is confirmed during the exercise routine that was notavailable in the prior art. This can be used on any computer device,such as, but not necessarily limited to, laptops, desktop computers,tablets, smartphones, computer phones, computer watches, televisions,computer and virtual reality glasses, and the like. One illustrativeexample of using the camera on the computer device to validate the useris to take a still image or short video of the user during theirexercise routine. The image taken can be at preset intervals, forinstance, every 10 minutes during their exercise routine. Thus, as longas the treadmill is moving, the camera will operate to take their realtime image while exercising. If the user stops exercising, the camerawill no longer record images. This is used to keep the user engaged andmotivated. For example, the user knows if they just push a little longerfor 10 more minutes, it will cause the camera to take their image,thereby perhaps obtaining more of a discount on their health insurancecosts. Setting a short goal within their exercise routine will motivatethe user to exercise longer because such short-term goals are justwithin reach. This information can be sent to someone in the medicalindustry or wellness manager to confirm the user's amount of exerciseand validating the user's identity. This can be used in combination withGPS to confirm the location, such as a gym location. This informationcan be sent as a live feed through the use of technology similar toSkype or stored as a still image or video and may be sent at any time.

This user's exercise and identity data is then easily transferred to awellness manager or doctor over the Internet as a live feed or stored ona computer or remote server such as a cloud based server in order toobtain such data at any time or location. Validation can also beachieved by facial, iris recognition, voice recognition, DNA profileinformation, and fingerprint scanning.

With the user now having the ability to not only view her improvedappearance during the exercise process in real-time, but also now havingthe simultaneous ability to view her improved biometrics during theexercise process in real-time, a synergy is created that fosters theduel benefits of appearance and health. By displaying to the user orpatient the health benefits of her exercise in real-time and by creatinga more efficient flow of that data to her wellness program manager, aphysician or personal trainer, the user or patient's autonomy,motivation and participation is increased beyond what current technologyand fitness programs provide. Notwithstanding the advances in the artsrelated to the invention disclosed here, there has not been a muchneeded proposed integrated device the combines validation, motivationand biometric testing in one solution that through proper computerimplemented instructions, provides a new robust system with unexpectedresults that allows a convenient, cost effective method of transferringhealth data while at the same time validating and motivating the user.This invention benefits the wellness programs and medical industriesthat desperately need to validate the employee or patient, while alsoproviding significant cost savings that is not otherwise available. Thisinvention has the dual benefit of helping the employee or patient savetime and money while boosting participation in their wellness programsand/or medical care.

There is a need to provide a simplified and convenient way of performingbiometric screenings by empowering the user to do herself and easilytransfer that information to her wellness manager or doctor, thusenhancing the exercise motivation and validation features of theinvention, while saving money and fostering self-autonomy. In accordancewith certain aspects herein, the biometric testing feature operatesalong with the validation feature so that the health care professional,or wellness manager, can confirm the user's identity as explainedfurther below.

Therefore, a further goal of the invention is to perform basic biometrictesting, such as cholesterol, blood-glucose, blood pressure, currentweight and the like using a computer device to further enhancemotivation and display the positive progression of a person's health ifthey stick to an exercise routine. This can be used on any computerdevice, such as, but not necessarily limited to, laptops, desktopcomputers, tablets, smartphones, computer phones, computer watches,televisions, computer and virtual reality glasses, and the like. Byshowing the user their enhanced image for motivation, it is fitting toalso have the ability to show them their internal payoffs through thebiometric testing feature.

Biometric testing is an important component of a comprehensive healthand wellness program. For patients or employees, biometric testingprovides important baseline data to shape the direction of their healthand/or corporate wellness programs. These screenings provide informationon current and potential medical issues. By using this test, users havereliable information about their risk for chronic preventable diseases,such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.

The screenings that are used by current wellness programs are usuallyperformed off site or commonly in a large mobile unit in the employer'sparking lot. By the use of the invention, it would save time and moneyby allowing the employee to test themselves and send the informationover the Internet to the wellness manager or medical worker, or to storeon a remote server, such as a secure cloud based server, in order toobtain data at any time or location, thereby boosting the user'sself-autonomy and participation in the programs.

The present invention also provides a means for closer communication,better care and synergy between the patient and doctor. For example, onecan prevent or delay the onset of type-2 diabetes by establishing andmonitoring a diet and exercise plan with one's physician. If the spreadof type-2 diabetes continues at its present rate, the number of peoplediagnosed with diabetes in the United States will increase from about 16million in 2005 to 48 million in 2050. The good news is that type-2diabetes is largely preventable. About 9 cases in 10 could be avoided bytaking several simple steps: keeping weight under control, exercisingmore and following a healthy diet.

By utilizing the motivation, validation and biometric screening featuresdisclosed here, the patient is motivated to exercise and maintain a goaljournal of her workout routine, which a doctor can easily track, andrecord while monitoring the patient's improved health. Using thevalidation process of the invention, the patient's identity and exerciseroutine are confirmed simultaneously. The feature associated withvalidating the identity of the user may be used while the user isexercising, or alternatively, while the user is not engaged at all inexercising. Perhaps the patient needs to transfer their biometrictesting results, diet plan or just a simple question to their healthcare professional. With the use of the identity validation features,this information can easily be transferred to a doctor for the patient'srecords and further consultation. When used in this way, the user maynot need to engage the body enhancement feature. Current fitnessproducts, such as Fitbit pedometers, fall short in this area becausethere is no way to confirm the identity of the user or patient and/or toprovide a visual motivation stimulant by showing the user an enhancedimage of themselves while exercising, nor can such devices providebiometric testing.

All or part of the comprised aggregate data such as the user's identity,duration of exercise, calories burned and heart rate level from hisworkout as well as the biometric testing performed by the user andvalidation of the patient, is conveniently transferred to the doctor forthe patient's records and further consultation. This creates a closerconnection between the doctor and his patient by including the doctor inthe patient's fitness program on an ongoing basis.

According to a Harvard study, with tax incentives and grants availableunder recent federal health care legislation, U.S. companies can usewellness programs to chip away at their enormous health care costs,which are only rising with an aging workforce. It has been proven thathealthy employees cost the employer less. Doctors Richard Milani andCarl Lavie demonstrated that point in a study that was published in theHarvard Business Review. The study was conducted using a singleemployer, using a random sample of 185 workers and their spouses. Theparticipants were not heart patients, but they received cardiacrehabilitation and exercise training. Of those classified as high riskwhen the study started (according to body fat, blood pressure, anxiety,and other measures), 57% were converted to low-risk status by the end ofthe six month program. Furthermore, medical claim cost had declined by$1,421 per participant, compared with those from the previous year. Acontrol group showed no such improvements. The bottom line is that everydollar invested in the intervention yielded $6 in health care savings.

Many organizations use online employee Health Reimbursement Arrangement(HRAs) to guide investment surveys and the results from biometric testssuch as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index. Thisinformation is shared confidentially with each participant to help himor her track wellness progress and, when appropriate, receivecompany-provided assistance in an area, such as nutrition counseling.Employees can often complete their biometric tests at company healthfairs or on-site medical clinics. The current invention will encourageemployee participation in the HRAs because of the convenience and easeof use. Furthermore, instead of setting up expensive health fairs ormobile medical clinics in the employer's parking lot, the HRAs savemoney by having a more efficient way of performing the biometric testingwhile encouraging employee participation.

It is a goal of this invention to create a synergy between the employee,employer and the wellness program that is missing in the healthcareindustry today. This will result in increased employee participation inthese programs. Some employees who complete an HRA and receive therecommended health counseling are rewarded by having their personalhealth insurance contributions substantially reduced. In addition, asmentioned, the employer and health insurance companies save money aswell if the employee will participate.

As an example, participation is enhanced because the employee can usethe invention at home on her TV, with electronic or virtual realityglasses, with a robot or a voice-controlled intelligent personalassistant service (such as Amazon Echo), or with any other type ofcomputer device, in order to save the time and money associated withgoing to the gym and possibly having to pay for childcare. Many wellnessprograms provide a discount to the employee on her health insurancecosts for participating in the program as mentioned previously. She nowis better able to achieve the requirements of her wellness program,which helps her obtain the discount on her health insurance withoutleaving home. This added benefit will motivate more employees toparticipate in company wellness programs because of the ease andconvenience provided by this invention. In addition, the validationfeature allows her to confirm her identity as well. There is a need forthe unique features of this invention that solve the problem intrinsicin today's wellness programs by validating the identity of the user andthe exercise performed which cannot be accomplished with the use of aswipe card at the gym or a pedometer due to the ease of providing thosedevices to a friend who will record erroneous exercise data for thedefrauding employee to use to obtain discounts and other companybenefits.

When using the invention through a computing device, such as, but notnecessarily limited to, a computer tablet, a smartphone, a computerwatch, a computer phone, or the like in a hotel exercise room, theemployee can easily meet his exercise goals when traveling. When in use,the camera can automatically redact any background images for privacyreasons. If the user does not want or need to use that particularvalidation feature, then he can simple turn it off. It should beunderstood and appreciated herein that in addition to a portablecomputer device or other such portable electronic device, the presentinvention can be used with any type of electronic device, whether or notthat device is easily portable or not. For instance, in accordance withcertain aspects herein, the invention can be used with a television(TV), a robot or a voice-controlled intelligent personal assistantservice (such as Amazon Echo), or other such electronic device that iscapable of displaying an image. Accordingly, the present invention isnot intended to be limited herein.

This invention can also be easily and affordably merged into a fitnessmanufacture's current control and entertainment panel screen on theirexercise machines. Precor, for example, is one of the top fitnessmanufactures and is making the connection with their own network fitnesscapability with their Preva Network program. Preva Network givesfacilities the option of enabling web browser capability so users canaccess their favorite websites during their workout and track theirexercise routine. The program also allows owners of the gyms to trackthe use of each machine remotely.

Although this system is entertaining for the user, it is lacking inmotivation by not allowing the user to see themselves thinner or moremuscular the harder they exercise, confirming the ID validation, andbiometrics read if desired from one system. Also, there is no way ofusing their current program to send this aggregated information over theinternet as previously explained. This is a great connection and worksnicely together with the wellness programs and the exercise manufacturesthat give users new and unexpected results that they currently do nothave.

The present invention is designed to create synergy and enhanceemployee/patient participation because of the ease and convenience ofits use. Furthermore, wellness programs will operate more efficientlybecause of the invention's validation feature, which is missing today,and because of the user's ability to perform her own biometric testing.Employers will benefit from the invention by virtue of its employee'sincreased participation in exercise and diet programs, which willincrease productivity in the workplace and reduce the healthcare coststhat is so desperately needed. Indeed, the negative impact of stressrelated illnesses such as depression and anxiety will be significantlyreduced which in turn reduces the incidence of divorce and violence inthe workplace. Indeed, the benefits of this much needed invention whenutilized to its fullest are boundless.

In accordance with certain aspects herein, a weight measurement of theexercise may be taken from a stretch resistance band that has a sensorinside the band. In accordance with this embodiment, the band is worn bya user by placing the stretch resistance foot band sensor under aroundthe foot of the user; calculating the user's weight based on smallbutton size scales with a diameter of approximately ⅓ in., that areincluded inside of the foot band. Bands are interfaced with the computerand wirelessly by Bluetooth technology or the like, thereby allowing thefoot band to automatically sync with the computer, and as a result,providing the user with their current weight and automatically sendingthe information to the computer device.

Interfacing between the exercise machine and the computer device bymeans of a code, it is now possible for to operation of the exercisemachine to be controlled by a computer device. For an example, if usinga tablet connected directly by USB port or another form of hardwiredirectly to the exercise machine, it is possible to control the exercisemachine directly on the tablet or through Bluetooth technology. Thecontrols of the exercise machine operate through the tablet such as—inthe case of a treadmill—speed of the treadmill, elevation and duration.This can also work wirelessly through a code that is read by thecomputer device outputted from the exercise machine. The exercise datafrom the user's workout routine on the exercise machine such as speed,duration and calories burned are automatically entered into the computerdevice from the exercise machine.

The user may input into the electronic device personal data such asgender, age, height and weight and personal measurements. Then the userinputs the weight that they would prefer to be and a thinner or moremuscular image will be displayed accordingly. The image thinning of theuser is achieved by data manually entered by the user into the computerdevice in order to see their thinner image. This is either or both areal-time video or a still image of the user.

When using an exercise machine such as a treadmill, the action of theinterface between the treadmill and the computer causes the user's realtime video image to become thinner, healthier and more aestheticallypleasing. If interfacing with a weight bar or dumbbells, the user isable to see their enhanced, more muscular image. The faster and/or moreintensely the user exercises, the thinner or more muscular and moreappealing the user's image becomes. In addition to seeing her image, shecan also view on the computer screen, or other such display monitor, herexercise data, such as heart rate, calories burned and distanceadvanced.

Visually seeing the enhanced image can be achieved all in one computerdevice or can also be achieved by using a camera on a computer device toinput the user's image and enhanced image outputted from the samecomputer device, but projected separately on another device, such as alarge flat-screen monitor or projected image on a wall, rather than thecomputer screen.

Through an interactive electronic adhesive skin patch worn on the skin,or through a wearable health monitor and/or exercise monitoring devices,such as a bracelet or earpiece that uses an analysis layer andinput/output interface, the ability is created to read the user's datawhile exercising, such as heart rate and breathing rate. Throughcomputer-implemented instructions, the computer reads the increasedheart and breathing rate from the health monitor devices or electronicskin patch and based on those readings, the identity validation featureis activated and/or the body enhanced image is created. This can beachieved by wire connection or wirelessly. As such, the interfacebetween the electronic skin patch, wearable health monitor and/orexercise-monitoring device allows the identity verification of the userto be activated and/or to see a motivation enhanced body image ofthemselves.

With the use of MEMS technology and bio-MEMS combined with micro-systemsand nano-systems, physiological sensors, wearable health monitor deviceswith physiological sensors that are worn inside the ear of the user,bracelets or electronic skin patches are able to capture at least theheart rate and breathing rate, such data being transmitted to thecomputer device while exercising. As long as the computer device isreading the heart rate and breathing rate information from the earpiece,the image of the user will become thinner or more muscular accordingly.

Body band devices such as arm, neck, stomach, head, leg and foot bandsare another method of obtaining measurements, weight, heart rate, oxygenlevel, number of steps taken, and distance data from a stretchresistance sensor inside the bands worn by a user engaging in exercise.This can include placing one of the resistance sensor around the user'sfoot that is able to take the user's weight based on small button sizescales that are a diameter of approximately ⅓ in., and that are fixedwith the foot band. Bands are interfaced with the electronic devicewirelessly by Bluetooth technology or the like. Input from such devicesis automatically synchronized by the computer device, and through asuitable computer-implemented instruction set, this data from the bodybands may then be used to calculate and display an approximation of theuser's thinner or more muscular image based on current exercise levelsand the other data received. As long as the bands are getting a readingof current measurements and/or steps currently taken and increased heartrate, oxygen level and steps taken, the enhanced body image will appearand/or a validation of the user's identity takes place, therebymotivating the user to press on with the exercise routine. Once datastops being read from the body bands, the image goes back to normal sizeon the screen if using this feature and/or validation of the user'sidentity will stop working. Weight of the user can also be taken fromthe treadmill if the treadmill is outfitted with a weight scalefunction.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to contribute to the user'ssense of self-worth and self-esteem. It is a further object to provide amethod of intrinsic motivation by using real time thinning or moremuscular self-imagery, and to create a long lasting self-imageimpression that will enhance healthy food selections. It is also anobject to provide biometric testing that enhances the user's exerciseexperience and engages the user's self-autonomy, as well as to narrowthe gap between intention and action for the user by providingmotivation to exercise and to participate in prescribed health programs.The present invention is also intended to bridge the separation of theemployee, employer and the healthcare company or the medical industry ina useful, resourceful, streamline manner that will increase employeeparticipation, as well as to connect the gap that exist between thepatient and the medical industry in a useful, resourceful way that willencourage patient care participation. The present invention is furtherintended to provide accessibility and to enhance the capabilities of thewellness programs, as well as to save money for the employee, employerand the healthcare industry. Moreover, the present invention is alsoconfigured to provide accessibility and to enhance the capabilities ofthe patient's control of their medical care, as well as to save moneyfor medical costs, and to provide a program that can be used on anelectronic device to encourage use while traveling. In addition, thepresent invention is also intended to provide a program that can be usedin the convenience of a home environment, as well as to lessen the lossof productivity from sick time taken, including less depression andstress, which have been proven to be in particular sources of loss ofproductivity. Finally, the present invention is intended to enhanceparticipation in a wellness or diet program, thereby reducing the growthof diabetes in the U.S., as well as reducing health care cost in theU.S.

According to certain aspects herein, the present invention is uniquelydesigned to address two costly and prevalent problems, lack ofmotivation to exercise and difficulties validating the identity of theexerciser. For instance, in certain embodiments, the invention isadapted to increase motivation in the user by providing a real timethinner and/or more muscular image of the user while exercising. Inaccordance with this embodiment, the user can see themselves thinnerand/or more muscular, as if looking into a mirror. This is not ananimated image of the user, but the actual person looking at themselves,only thinner and/or more muscular, in real time as they exercise.Although this feature can operate independently in accordance withcertain embodiments, it should be understood and appreciated herein thatthe process also has the ability to interface with exercise equipment orwearable tracking devices. In accordance with these embodiments, themore exertion the user exhibits while exercising, the thinner theirimage will become as a result.

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is configuredto interface with exercise equipment so that the when the equipmentmoves, a camera or other such image capturing device is caused to takean image of the user or require a fingerprint of the user periodicallyto verify the identity of the user. It should be understood andappreciated herein that the image taken of the user can be either a live(real-time) video image or a still (static) image. Moreover, inaccordance with certain aspects herein a Bluetooth connection can beestablished between the exercise equipment and the camera/imagecapturing device so that the device is prompted to take an image whenthe user or exercise equipment is in motion or electronic device maymake a beeping sound, or other such notification method, to notify theuser that they have to input their fingerprint.

According to certain aspects herein, the inventive system can beconfigured such that the faster the exercise equipment and/or user ismoving, the more drastically the captured image can be modified. Forinstance, the image of the user can become thinner or more muscular asthe detected movement increases in speed.

In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention,health or exercise-tracking devices, such as a Fitbit, a chest band orother such tracking device, can be programmed to cause the camera/imagecapturing device to take an image of the user as movement is detected.Moreover, in accordance with yet other embodiments, the health orexercise-tracking device can prompt the user to press their fingeragainst the device to scan for fingerprint recognition purposes and/orto prompt the user to speak for purposes of voice recognition in orderto validate the user's identity. According to certain aspects herein,this feature may occur using two separate devices, such as a health orexercise-tracking device and a computer or television, computer phone,computer or virtual reality glasses. Alternatively, this feature mayfunction automatically if the health or exercise-tracking device andcomputer device is comprised in one unit, such as a computer watch. Inthis case, it may have the ability to read heart rhythm for validatingthe identity of the user or provide a fingerprint impression. Moreover,and in accordance with certain embodiments, the camera/image capturingdevice can be configured to take an image when the heart rate of theuser reaches a threshold level. Alternatively, the health and/orexercise-tracking device can be configured to cause the camera/imagecapturing device or other such validation device to take an image and/orto verify the identity of the user at periodic intervals. It should beunderstood and appreciated herein that the periodic intervals can beuniform in nature (e.g., every 5 or 10 minutes, for instance) orrandomized if desired. Accordingly, the present invention is notintended to be limited herein.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image canbe taken and/or modified on-demand according to certain embodiments. Forinstance, according to certain aspects herein, the system can beconfigured to recognize when an individual presses a button, or othersimilar input device—and as a result of recognizing the activation ofsuch device, will automatically take a real-time image of the userand/or modify a captured image of the user on-demand. It should beunderstood and appreciated herein that in accordance with this exemplaryembodiment, the on-demand activity is not dependent upon whether or notthe user is exercising at the time the input device is activated. Assuch, the present invention is intended to be useful for activities andsituations outside of the exercise arena—for instance, in weight losssettings and/or for cosmetic or bariatric surgery purposes, etc. Inaccordance with these exemplary embodiments, the present invention canbe utilized as a motivational tool to show a patient what their bodywould look like if enhanced as desired—and such enhancement could beperformed in real-time even when the user is not exercising.

According to yet other exemplary embodiments herein, the presentinvention can be configured to modify a captured image of the user in amore immersive way through augmented reality principles, such as byusing “Holoportation” software from Microsoft. As those of skill in theart will understand and appreciate herein, this technology allows theuser to see, hear, and interact with other users remotely as if both arepresent in the same physical space. To accomplish this, 3D cameras areprogrammed to capture and record a user's movements and then construct atemporally consistent 3D model that is capable of compressing andsending the associated data out to anywhere in the world. Alternatively,if the user choices not to interact with others, the hololens trackingsystem that is attached to a 3D camera, allows the body enhancementmodification to occur in real-time and the user would have the optionnot to send to a remote location. An enhanced body composition of theuser can be created in real-time in the real world in front of the user;powerfully affecting the user's intrinsic motivation. The augmentedreality principals can also be applied with the use of electronicglasses, such as Google Glass or Vuzix M3000. Moreover, as theseinteractions are recordable, they can be replayed and manipulated (suchas by shrinking) if desired, thereby giving users the sense of relivingthat moment in real-time.

In accordance with certain aspects in which the automatic and on-demandcapturing or modification of an image is desired, the inventive systemcan also be programmed to validate the identity of the user when theinput device or button is activated. Of course, it should be understoodand appreciated herein that various different combinations of theseon-demand features can be activated or disabled depending on the desiredcircumstance. For instance, it is envisioned that under certaincircumstances, it may desirable to conduct an on-demand validation of auser without the further need to conduct a modification of the image.Accordingly, the body modification feature can be disabled as necessarydepending on the situation in which the inventive system is beingemployed.

In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention, thesystem is also uniquely designed to validate the user's identificationor identity while exercising. More particularly, as the use of wearabletracking devices, such as Fitbit has become the norm for employees totrack their employees' activity levels as part of various incentivizedwellness programs, the need to validate the authenticity of suchactivities has become essential. For instance, without propervalidation, a user can easily manipulate and misconstrue their activitylevels and associated tracking data. Using devices that have not beenproperly validated can lead to fraudulent claims being submitting byemployees—a problem which will ultimately cost employers significantfinancial losses. The present invention is intended to minimize and/oreliminate these problems by properly validating the user's identity aspart of the tracked exercise.

According to certain aspects herein, the present invention is configuredto validate the actual exercise performed by the user by using a cameraor other such device. In addition, the present invention is alsoadapted, in accordance with certain embodiments, to perform biometrictesting (such as blood sugar and blood pressure measurements) viaBluetooth synchronization to common third party devices, as well as isconfigured to provide a diet, exercise plan and goal journal to the userif desired.

In accordance with certain aspects herein, the present invention isconfigured to create a diet and exercise plan according to the dataentered by the user. According to this aspect, the plan is stored in ajournal, and the software tracks the user's workout results againsttheir diet and exercise plan and encourages them to increase theirworkout and/or modify their diet. Moreover, in still other embodiments,the software is configured to provide a healthy diet plan that has beenestablished by a registered dietary nutritionist to assist them in theirweight loss goal, as well as a personal journal to track the diet plan.

According to certain aspects herein, the present invention may also beoffered in coordination with a mobile application or other such webservice. For instance, the software may be adapted to display a savingsamount and/or a health point total, as determined by data entered by theuser such as the user's height, weight, age, gender, measurements,desired weight, and health plan information corresponding to health planrates based on the user's parameters. Moreover, the system may alsodisplay health plan points or dollars saved on a screen while the useris exercising. Of course, it should be understood and appreciated hereinthat the user does not have to be exercising to access this information,whereby in accordance with certain embodiments, the user can access thisinformation through a mobile application or other such web service atany time as desired. In addition, in accordance with still otherembodiments, the present invention is further adapted to displayestimated health statistics of the user based upon the user's desiredweight and the user's blood glucose level, heart rate and blood pressureon the screen as the user is exercising.

According to one illustrative aspect herein, a method for monitoring anexerciser is provided. In accordance with this aspect of the invention,the method comprises the steps of: detecting movement of the exerciserusing a device with a video camera; capturing an image of the movingexerciser with the video camera; transmitting the captured image to anidentity verification device; comparing biometric data from the image toa biometric profile provided by the exerciser; collecting exercise datafrom the exerciser if the biometric data matches the biometric profile;generating a motivational image of the exerciser with a processingdevice, the motivational image being produced from an acquired image ofthe exerciser, the acquired image depicting at least one feature; anddisplaying the motivational image from the processing device insubstantially real time while the exerciser is in motion; wherein themotivational image depicts a real image of the exerciser having enhanceddimensions for the at least one feature.

In accordance with certain aspects herein, the step of comparingbiometric data comprises comparing the biometric data with the identityverification device.

In accordance with still other aspects herein, the captured image of theexerciser is a still image of the exerciser, while in accordance withstill other aspects, the captured image is a live video image of theexerciser. Moreover, in accordance with certain aspects herein, thecaptured image of the exerciser can be an image or scan of theexerciser's fingerprint—and once the fingerprint image/scan is capturedby the imaging device, it can then be used for purposes of validatingthe identity of the exerciser. Alternatively, the captured image of theexerciser, in accordance with still other embodiments, can be an imageor scan of the exerciser's eye/iris—and once the image or scan iscaptured by the imaging device, the captured image can then be used forpurposes of validating the identity of the exerciser, for instance, byutilizing facial recognition software or the like.

According to yet further aspects of the present invention, the steps ofdetecting, capturing, comparing, collecting and transmitting areperformed more than once during the exercise session, for instance, atscheduled intervals during the exercise session or at random intervalsduring the exercise session.

In accordance with certain embodiments herein, exercise data specific tothe exerciser or user is stored on a remote server, and the biometricprofile of the exerciser or user may include data related to theirphysical dimensions.

According to still other aspects of the present invention, the methodmay further comprise transmitting exercise data to a third party if thecompared biometric data matches the biometric profile of the exerciseror user.

According to certain aspects herein, the present invention furtherincludes the step of generating the motivational image of the user orexerciser in response to the on-demand activation of an input device.

In accordance with still other embodiments herein, the step of comparingbiometric data from the image to the biometric profile comprisescomparing the biometric data to the biometric profile in response to theon-demand activation of an input device.

According to one embodiment herein, a method for motivating a user isprovided comprising the steps of providing a device with an imagecapturing feature; capturing an image of the user with the imagecapturing feature; transmitting the captured image to an identityverification device; comparing biometric data from the image to abiometric profile provided by the user; generating a motivational imageof the user with a processing device, the motivational image beingproduced from an acquired image of the user, the acquired imagedepicting at least one feature of the user; and displaying themotivational image from the processing device in substantially real timeto the user; wherein the motivational image exclusively depicts a realimage of the user having enhanced dimensions for the at least onefeature.

In accordance with still other aspects herein, the present inventionfurther comprises the step of detecting movement of the user prior tocapturing the image with the device, while in accordance with additionalembodiments, the method further comprises activating an input deviceon-demand prior to capturing the image of the user with the device.

According to certain aspects herein, the step of comparing biometricdata from the image to a biometric profile comprises verifying theidentity of the user.

In accordance with yet other embodiments herein, the present inventionfurther comprises collecting data from the user if the identity of theuser is verified upon comparing the biometric data to the biometricprofile. The collected data, in accordance with certain aspects herein,may be further stored on a remote server and/or transmitted a thirdparty (such as a medical provider or wellness coordinator) if thecompared biometric data matches the biometric profile of the user.

It should be understood and appreciated herein that the biometricprofile of the user can include any type of personal and/or health careinformation of the user; however, in accordance with certain aspectsherein, the biometric profile includes data related to physicaldimensions of the user.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device, in accordance withthis embodiment, comprises: an imaging device structured to capture animage of a user; a memory device structured to store input data of theuser; a network communicator structured to transmit and receivecommunication signals; an identity verification device structured toreceive the input data from the network communicator and to validate anidentity of the user based on analyzing the captured image against theinput data; a processing device in electronic communication with thenetwork communicator structured to: receive identification data from theidentity verification device, receive an acquired image of at least onefeature of the user, receive the stored input data from the memorydevice, estimate an enhanced appearance of the at least one feature ofthe user based on input data including the acquired image and the storedinput data, and create a motivational image of the user, themotivational image exclusively depicting a real time and modified imageof the acquired image of the at least one feature; and an output displaystructured to display the motivational image from the processing devicein substantially real time.

According to certain embodiments herein, the identity verificationdevice includes at least one of a camera structured to capture an imageof the user, a microphone structured to receive sound data from theuser, a barcode scanner, an iris scanner structured to capture data fromthe user, a fingerprint scanner, a biometric scanner, a heart ratemonitor, a facial recognition system, and DNA information.

According to still other embodiments herein, the output display isconfigured to display at least one of health care information, healthplan points or dollars saved and health statistics specific to the user.

In accordance with still other exemplary embodiments, the electronicdevice further comprises a device configured to detect movement of theat least one feature prior to capturing the image, wherein the device isstructured to cause the image to be captured in response to the detectedmovement.

According to other embodiments, the electronic device further comprisesan input device configured to cause the imaging device to capture theimage in response to the on-demand activation of the input device.

In accordance with yet other embodiments, the electronic device furthercomprises an input device that is configured to cause the identityverification device to validate the identity of the user in response tothe on-demand activation of the input device.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod for motivating a user comprises the steps of: providing a devicewith an image capturing feature; capturing an image of the user with theimage capturing feature; modifying the captured image with a processingdevice to produce a motivational image of the user, the motivationalimage depicting at least one enhanced feature of the user; anddisplaying the motivational image from the processing device insubstantially real time to the user; wherein the motivational imageexclusively depicts a real image of the user having enhanced dimensionsfor the at least one feature.

According to certain aspects herein the method for motivating a userfurther comprises the step of activating an input device on-demand priorto capturing the image of the user with the device.

In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention, thestep of modifying the captured image comprises activating an inputdevice on-demand to cause the processing device to produce themotivational image. In addition, and in accordance with certain aspectsherein, the captured image of the user is a still image or a live videoimage of the user.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor monitoring an exerciser is provided. In accordance with thisembodiment, the method comprises the steps of: associating a motiontracking device with the exerciser; detecting movement of the exerciserwith the motion tracking device during an exercise session; periodicallyprompting the exerciser during the exercise session to provide abiometric data feature to an identity verification module associatedwith the tracking device, the biometric data feature being selected fromat least one of an image, a sound cue, a motion cue, a barcode, a bodyscan and a DNA specimen; processing the biometric data feature with theidentity verification module by comparing the biometric data feature toa stored biometric profile of the exerciser; and collecting exercisedata from the exerciser if the biometric data feature matches thebiometric profile.

In accordance with certain embodiments herein, the identity verificationmodule includes at least one of a camera, a microphone, a barcodescanner, an iris or retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a motiondetector, a heart rate monitor, a facial recognition system, and a DNAanalysis feature.

In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the image of theexerciser is a still image or a live video image of the exerciser.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, thesteps of detecting, prompting, processing and collecting are performedmore than once during an exercise session, while in accordance withstill other embodiments, the steps are performed at scheduled or randomintervals during the exercise session.

According to certain aspects, the step of collecting exercise data fromthe exerciser is structured to automatically stop collecting data duringthe exercise session if the exerciser fails to provide a biometric datafeature to the identity verification module when prompted. Moreover, inaccordance with some embodiments, the exercise data is stored within amemory device, wherein the memory device is configured to be storedlocally within the tracking device or remotely on a server.

In another aspect of the present invention, the biometric profileincludes data related to physical dimensions of the exerciser. Moreover,the exercise data, in accordance with certain aspects, can betransmitted to a third party if the compared biometric data featurematches the biometric profile of the exerciser.

According to another embodiment, the step of processing the biometricdata feature with the identity verification module comprises comparingthe biometric data feature to the biometric profile in response to theon-demand activation of an input device.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the present invention, a methodfor validating the identity of a user is provided. According to thisaspect, the method comprises the steps of: providing an identityverification device having an image capturing feature, the identityverification device including at least one of a camera structured tocapture an image of the user, a microphone structured to receive sounddata from the user, a barcode scanner, an iris scanner structured tocapture data from the user, a fingerprint scanner, a biometric scanner,a heart rate monitor, a facial recognition system, and a DNA analysisfeature; capturing an image of the user with the image capturingfeature; comparing biometric data from the captured image to a biometricprofile provided by the user, the biometric profile being stored in amemory device in communication with the identity verification device;and transmitting identity verification data to a third party if thecompared biometric data matches the biometric profile of the user.

According to certain aspects herein, the captured image of the user is astill image or a live video image of the exerciser, and the identityverification data is transmitted to a remote server.

In certain embodiments herein, the biometric profile includes datarelated to physical dimensions of the user, and the step of comparingthe biometric data from the image to the biometric profile comprisescomparing the biometric data to the biometric profile in response to theon-demand activation of an input device.

According to still another embodiment herein, a method for validatingthe identity of a user is contemplated and comprises the steps of:providing a health tracking device that is associated with the user, thehealth tracking device being configured to record health relatedinformation of the user; prompting the user to submit biometric data toan identity verification module in communication with the healthtracking device, wherein the biometric data is selected from at leastone of an image, a sound cue, a motion cue, a barcode, a body scan and aDNA specimen; verifying the identity of the user by comparing thesubmitted biometric data to a stored biometric profile of the user;transmitting the recorded health related information to a third party ifthe identity of the user is positively verified; conducting a healthscreening analysis of the transmitted information; and generating ahealth screening report from the analysis, the health screening reportincluding a customized wellness plan for the user.

According to certain aspects herein, the identity verification moduleincludes at least one of a camera, a microphone, a barcode scanner, aniris or retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a motion detector, aheart rate monitor, a facial recognition system, and a DNA analysisfeature.

According to still other embodiments, the validation method furthercomprises capturing an image of the user with an image capturing devicein communication with the identity verification module.

In accordance with still other embodiments, the validation methodfurther comprises producing a motivational image of the user bymodifying the captured image with a processing device, the motivationalimage depicting at least one enhanced feature of the user.

According to still another embodiment, the validation method furthercomprises displaying the motivational image from the processing devicein substantially real time to the user, wherein the motivational imageexclusively depicts a real image of the user having enhanced dimensionsfor the at least one feature.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thefollowing explanation provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practicedwithout such details. In other instances, well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or pluralnumber also include the plural or singular number respectively.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Whenthe claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, that word covers all of the following interpretations of theword: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and anycombination of the items in the list.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a system 10 for aiding a user 20 performing anexercise in an exercise area 18 utilizing an electronic device 30. Theelectronic device 30 is of the type that includes at least anon-volatile storage medium 31, a camera 32, a display 34, abutton/input device 35, a microphone 36 and at least periodic access tothe Internet or other large area network. Such an electronic device maybe a wall-mounted television, cell phone, computer or virtual realityglasses, tablet computer, laptop or desktop computer, or the like.

An adjustable mount 50 secures the electronic device 30 in such a way asto orient the camera 32 of the electronic device 30 towards the user 20in the exercise area 18. The mount 50 includes a mechanism for securingto the electronic device 30 and for securing to a wall, exercise machine40, or the like.

A server 110 with access to the Internet is further included and isadapted to receive information from the electronic device 30, which canthen be sent to the user's doctor, wellness program, or other authorizedpractitioner. Such information may include user identity validationinformation from the electronic device 30, as further explained below,as well as data from the exercise machine 40, biometrics, motivationalimage statistics, and image and modified motivational image 25 data fromthe electronic device 30, and data from alternate validation systems,dollar amounts saved, health points earned, and other data, as furtherexplained below.

A set of computer-implemented instructions resident in the non-volatilestorage medium 31 of the electronic device 30 is adapted to cause thecamera 32 to record a still or video image or produce a live feed of thepatient or exercising user 20 when movement is detected by the camera32. Further, the electronic device 30 is instructed to use an identityvalidation system 130 to validate the identity of the user 20 performingthe exercise, and to transmit to the server 110 at least the user'sidentity as determined by the identity validation system 130 and thetime 140 and duration 150 of the exercise performed by the user 20.

In accordance with certain embodiments herein, the system can beconfigured to recognize when an individual presses a button, or othersimilar input device 35, and as a result of recognizing the activationof such device 35, will automatically take a real-time image of the userand/or modify a captured image of the user on-demand. It should beunderstood and appreciated herein that in accordance with this exemplaryembodiment, the on-demand activity is not dependent upon whether or notthe user is exercising at the time the input device is activated. Assuch, the present invention is intended to be useful for activities andsituations outside of the exercise arena—for instance, in weight losssettings and/or for cosmetic or bariatric surgery purposes, etc. Inaccordance with these exemplary embodiments, the present invention canbe utilized as a motivational tool to show a patient what their bodywould look like if enhanced as desired—and such enhancement could beperformed in real-time even when the user is not exercising. It shouldalso be understood and appreciated herein that while the input device 35is illustratively shown on the electronic device 30, the input device 35could alternatively be implemented into any other device incommunication with the system 10. For instance, the input device couldbe incorporated into any electronic or health tracking device utilizedby the user, such as, but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, alaptop, a desktop computer, a watch, a body band, an electronic skinpatch, an earpiece, a bracelet or other such electronic device that iscapable of communicating with the system 10 through Bluetooth or othersuch technology. Additionally, the input device 35 could be incorporatedinto an electronic device maintained by a third party, such as anemployer or health care provider. In accordance with these illustrativeembodiments, for instance, the third party could activate the inputdevice 35 on-demand from the same or a remote location in order toverify the identity of the user, capture an image of the user and/orprompt the system to create a modified/enhanced image of the user inreal-time.

In one embodiment, wherein the exercise area already includes theexercise machine 40 that is adapted for transmitting exercise data 24 toan interface 55 thereof, the electronic device 30 is further adapted toreceive the exercise data 24 from the exercise machine 40 and thentransmit the exercise data 24 to the server 110. Additionally, theelectronic device 30, as directed by the instructions therein, mayprompt the user 20 for additional health data 24, such as height,weight, gender, age, blood pressure, average heart rate, desired weight,desired blood pressure, desired average heart rate, and the like.

The health data 24 may additionally include an image of a blood teststrip, such as a blood cholesterol or glucose test strip 200, bloodpressure data of the user 20 as determined by a blood pressure monitor210 in the exercise area 18, heart rate data of the user 20 asdetermined by a heart rate monitor 220 in the exercise area 18, bloodoxygen concentration data of the user 20 as determined by a blood oxygenmonitor 230 in the exercise area 18, and the like.

Preferably the electronic device 30 is further adapted, through the setof instructions, to display a motivational image 25 on the display 34 ofthe electronic device 30 in accordance to the speed or duration of thedetection of movement of the user 20 by the camera 32. Such amotivational image 25 relates to the shape of the user 20 as detected bythe camera 32 of the electronic device 30, and is preferably a thinnerrepresentation of the user 20. Such a motivational image 25 may furtherbe determined by the shape of the user 20 as detected by the camera 32of the electronic device 30 and in accordance to the exercise data 24 ofthe exercise machine 40. The thinner motivational image 25 may also bedetermined in part by parameters entered by the user 20, provided byhealth tracking devices such as a body band 230, electronic skin patch250, earpiece 251 or bracelet, and other exercise data 24. Themotivational image 25 may be a real-time image displayed to the user 20,or a live feed image broadcast to a remote location.

The thinner motivational image 25 may be further transferred to theserver 110 for use in motivational emails, or the like. A separatedisplay 34, such as a flat-panel display or television, may beinterfaced with the electronic device 30 (FIG. 1) to display the image25 and exercise data 24.

Validation of the user's identity during exercising may be achievedthrough any of the following: 1) the exercise machine 40 indicatesmovement thereof at the interface 55 with the electronic device 30,resulting in the set of instructions causing the camera 32 toperiodically take a photo and send it to the server 110; 2) movement issensed by the camera 32 (such as the user's shoulders moving up anddown), resulting in the set of instructions causing the camera 32 toperiodically take a photo; 3) a DNA validator electronic skin patch 250,electronic bracelet 130, or an electronic earpiece 251 reads a DNAsignature from the user 20; 4) the camera 32 of the electronic device 30enables facial recognition routines included in the set of instructionsto identify the user 20; 5) a barcode ID (not shown) of the user, suchas is found on a government-issued ID for example, is scanned by camera32; 6) voice recognition is performed by the electronic device 30through use of the microphone 36; 7) an image of the user's iris isscanned and compared to a previously-validated image thereof; 8) afingerprint scanner 180 is utilized to scan the fingerprint of the user20; or the like. It is understood that as additional identityverification systems and devices become available that the presentinvention may be adapted to accommodate such new technologies withoutchanging the spirit or scope of the invention.

The camera 32 may take a still image or real time video of the user 20according to output parameters of the exercise machine 40 transmitted bywire, wirelessly by Bluetooth technology, infrared communication, or thelike. The image can be captured at pre-set intervals. For example, aslong as the exercise data 24 is being produced by the exercise machine40, the camera 32 can be instructed to capture the user's image every 10minutes. Therefore, as long as the user 20 continues exercising, thecamera 32 will continue to capture the user's image. For privacy,background images may be automatically obscured, if desired.Additionally, upon the camera 32 sensing movement of user 20 (such asshoulder movement up and down of the user 20) on an exercise machine 40,or within the exercise area 18, the camera 32 can be set to capture theuser's image at the pre-set intervals.

With the use of MEMS technology and bio-MEMS combined with micro-systemsand nano-systems, a DNA validator 190 such as an electronic skin patches250 or wearable health monitors in the form of a bracelet 130 orelectronic earpieces 251 can provide a DNA signature of the user 20.Thus, wearing these devices 190 that are interfaced with the electronicdevice 30, either by wire or wirelessly, provides validation of theuser's identity.

A facial recognition routine may be used for automatically identifyingand verifying a user from a digital image or a video frame. The imagetaken is matched to one single image in a database. For example, animage taken of a user is compared to all of the images that are storedin a database (not shown), resulting in the single best match that is inthe database.

To further help validate the identity of the user 20, the bar code 160associated with an ID card, such as a driver's license, is scanned bythe camera 32 and is then compared to a known bar code 160 associatedwith the user 20. This can be achieved by simply implementing a bar code160 that is located on a government ID, or a newly issued swipe cardthat is coded with the user's identification information. The camera 32on the electronic device 30 reads the bar code 160 and identifies theuser 20.

In order to create a base line vocal pattern for speech recognitionidentity validation, a speech sample of the positively identified user20 is segmented and dominant frequencies called formants are determined.The segments are then digitized into a biometric template. Thereafter,when authenticating a user's voice, the previous voice basis in thedatabase is compared to the current voice that is being identified bymatching an assigned questions or phrase. Voice identification isquickly and accurately captured by the microphone 36 and processed bythe electronic device 30 or a remote voice identification server (notshown).

Through the computer-implemented instructions and by utilizing thecamera 32 on the electronic device 30, user iris recognition may also beused as an automated method of biometric identification that usesmathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of the irisof the user's eyes. The complex, random patterns of a person's iris areunique and can be seen from some distance. The unique pattern that isbeing authenticated is then compared to others in a database, thusallowing the user's identity to be confirmed.

Through suitable computer implemented instructions, impressions offingerprints of the user 20 are placed on the smooth surface of thedisplay 34 of the electronic device 30 display. By the use of naturalsecretions of sweat from the eccrine glands that are present in frictionridge skin a unique fingerprint is captured from the user. Throughproper computer implemented instructions, the electronic device 30 isable to read the fingerprint and properly identify the user 20. This canbe achieved by capturing the fingerprint of just one figure, such as thethumb, or the whole hand, as desired based on the size of the electronicdevice 30. Alternately, a separate fingerprint scanner 180 within theexercise area 18 may be used.

With the use of test strips 200 that take a small drop of blood, thecamera 32 on the computer device is able to read slight changes on thestrip 200; allowing determination of the reading to be given to the user20 and associated healthcare workers. Alternately, by implementingalgorithms such as what is used with OneTouch® Verio® Sync for example,a separate meter device automatically sends the user's blood sugarresults wirelessly to the electronic device 30. By utilizing the camera32 to sense small changes in facial color based on blood flow such asthe Vital Signs Camera App by Phillips, heart and respiratory rates canbe obtained. Blood volume pulse propagates throughout the body. Duringthe cardiac cycle, volumetric changes in the facial blood vessels modifythe path length of the incident ambient light such that subsequentchanges in amount of reflected light indicate the timing ofcardiovascular events.

Body band devices 240, such as arm, neck, stomach, head, leg band 131and foot bands are another means of obtaining measurements, weight,heart rate, pulse rate and the like. By utilizing small button-sizescales that are approximately ⅓ inch in diameter and located inside ofthe stretch resistant foot band, weight of the user 20 is obtained byplacing the band around the foot and standing on it. Blood pressure,pulse and heart rate can easily be read from such band devices 240wirelessly using Bluetooth technology or the like. However, separateblood pressure monitors and blood glucose meters can also be connectedto the electronic device 30 directly as well through the use of a USBport or the like.

With the use of MEMS technology and bio-MEMS combined with micro-systemsand nano-systems, physiological sensors are used in electronic skinpatches 250 or electronic earpieces 251 to provide an accurate readingfor blood pressure, body temperature, bone density, pulse, heart rate,cholesterol and blood oxygen percentage, and such can be read wirelesslyusing Bluetooth technology or the like. Thus, wearing these convenientdevices 240,250 that are interfaced with the electronic device 30provides real time biometric data 24 of the user 20.

The user 20 may enter her employer's wellness or weight loss requirementprogram, or details of a point system of the user's diet and healthplan, into the electronic device 30. This aggregated information is thencompared to her current exercise routine that the user 20 is performingand her points or dollars saved are displayed on the display 34 in frontof her as she is exercising (FIG. 1). The harder and longer the user 20exercises, the higher her points or dollars reach in real time on thedisplay 34. As such, this increases motivation for her to keepexercising for a longer period of time. This can be used in conjunctionwith the thinner image 25 of her or by itself to help motivate the user20.

The user 20 may further input her current weight, measurements, age,gender, cholesterol, body fat, blood pressure and/or blood sugar intothe electronic device 30, as opposed to when using the biometric devices240, 250 described above wherein some of this information is readdirectly from the electronic device 30 via wireless networking insteadof being received as input from the user 20. Once the thinner image 25is calculated using the aforementioned methods and inputs, whetherdirectly from the user into the computer device or wirelessly fromwearable devices such as the electronic skin patch 250, earpiece 251,bracelet 130 or body band 131, the system 10 can calculate what theuser's stats would be if they weighed as much as the thinner imagedisplayed, and such information is displayed on the display 34accordingly. The thinner image 25 of the user 20 that is displayed alsois displayed with an estimate of what the user's weight, measurements,cholesterol, body fat, blood pressure and blood sugar would be if theuser 20 was indeed as thin as the thinner image 25 that is displayed,thereby motivating the user 20 to exercise with more intensity and for alonger duration than he might normally.

Another goal of the invention is the generation of data to study theeffects of positive self-imagery or the like. For example, the dataobtained from the present system can be used to study the effects ofself-imagery, motivation and autonomy, for the study of bulimia andanorexia, or for the study of positive feedback during exercise orsports activities.

In one embodiment, the motivational image 25 is a thinner representationof the user 20 as determined by data received from an electronic skinpatch 250, earpiece 251, bracelet 130, and/or body band 131 (FIG. 1).

In the set of computer-implemented instructions is further adapted todisplay a savings amount and/or a health point's total, as determined byentered parameters about the user 20, including the parameters of theuser's height, weight, age, gender, measurements, desired weight, andhealth plan information corresponding to health plan rates based on theuser's parameters. Further, the set of computer-implemented instructionsmay be adapted to display estimated health statistics of the user 20based on the user's desired weight, such health statistics includingblood glucose level, heart rate, and blood pressure.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the system may be adapted to be used for a group of people,such as a yoga or exercise class. Alternately, the system may be adaptedfor use by people who are not exercising on an exercising machine. Forexample, mental health patients might use the system to assist inpositive self-imagery such as a smile, self-esteem and autonomyexercises. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention belimited, except as by the appended claims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned inthis disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. In addition, theteachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references,including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, areincorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can bemodified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and conceptsof the various references described above to provide yet furtherembodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “DetailedDescription.” While the above description details certain embodiments ofthe invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably whilestill being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorreserves the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

1. A method for monitoring an exerciser comprising: associating a motiontracking device with the exerciser; detecting movement of the exerciserwith the motion tracking device during an exercise session; periodicallyprompting the exerciser during the exercise session to provide abiometric data feature to an identity verification module associatedwith the tracking device, the biometric data feature being selected fromat least one of an image, a sound cue, a motion cue, a barcode, a bodyscan and a DNA specimen; processing the biometric data feature with theidentity verification module by comparing the biometric data feature toa stored biometric profile of the exerciser; and collecting exercisedata from the exerciser if the biometric data feature matches thebiometric profile.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identityverification module includes at least one of a camera, a microphone, abarcode scanner, an iris or retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, amotion detector, a heart rate monitor, a facial recognition system, anda DNA analysis feature.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image ofthe exerciser is a still image or a live video image of the exerciser.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of detecting, prompting,processing and collecting are performed more than once during anexercise session.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the steps ofdetecting, prompting, processing and collecting are performed atscheduled intervals during the exercise session.
 6. The method of claim4, wherein the steps of detecting, prompting, processing and collectingare performed at random intervals during the exercise session.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of collecting exercise data from theexerciser is structured to automatically stop collecting data during theexercise session if the exerciser fails to provide a biometric datafeature to the identity verification module when prompted.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein the exercise data is stored within a memory device,wherein the memory device is configured to be stored locally within thetracking device or remotely on a server.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the biometric profile includes data related to physicaldimensions of the exerciser.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transmitting exercise data to a third party if the comparedbiometric data feature matches the biometric profile of the exerciser.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of processing the biometricdata feature with the identity verification module comprises comparingthe biometric data feature to the biometric profile in response to theon-demand activation of an input device.
 12. A method for validating theidentity of a user comprising: providing a health tracking device thatis associated with the user, the health tracking device being configuredto record health related information of the user; prompting the user tosubmit biometric data to an identity verification module incommunication with the health tracking device, wherein the biometricdata is selected from at least one of an image, a sound cue, a motioncue, a barcode, a body scan and a DNA specimen; verifying the identityof the user by comparing the submitted biometric data to a storedbiometric profile of the user; transmitting the recorded health relatedinformation to a third party if the identity of the user is positivelyverified; conducting a health screening analysis of the transmittedinformation; and generating a health screening report from the analysis,the health screening report including a customized wellness plan for theuser.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identity verificationmodule includes at least one of a camera, a microphone, a barcodescanner, an iris or retinal scanner, a fingerprint scanner, a motiondetector, a heart rate monitor, a facial recognition system, and a DNAanalysis feature.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingcapturing an image of the user with an image capturing device incommunication with the identity verification module.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising producing a motivational image of the userby modifying the captured image with a processing device, themotivational image depicting at least one enhanced feature of the user.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying themotivational image from the processing device in substantially real timeto the user, wherein the motivational image exclusively depicts a realimage of the user having enhanced dimensions for the at least onefeature.